Opening Our Ears with Senses Fail: New Jersey Vs. The World

It’s been 20 years since the iconic debut album Let It Enfold You introduced us to New Jersey post-hardcore/pop-punk band Senses Fail. Spearheading their way through every subgenre of the “emo” brand by frontman Buddy Nielsen, I found the opportunity to talk some shop in support of their “New Jersey Vs. The World” tour.

SLUG: For the “New Jersey Vs. The World” tour, you guys are playing through your debut album in full. Is there a particular track that has changed in meaning for you over time or as a favorite to perform?

Nielsen: Yes—I really had no idea what “NJ Falls Into The Atlantic” was about, but over time I have come to understand it as a story about the time I saw my father cheating on my mother on the 4th of July which led to their divorce. 

SLUG: Seven albums later, what does it feel like returning to this project? With the album finding itself an audience with many considering it a cult classic, does it hold a particular special place in your catalog?

Nielsen: Yes, it is absolutely special to me and I do think that it is the seminal record in our catalog. It was the ground from which everything sprung from. It always feels like a relevant record to play. We already play a lot from it during every show so we are really only adding a couple songs. It’s always a record in our arsenal.

SLUG: Joining you on the tour is Saves The Day; you guys recently did your joint cover release of each other’s work as well—how was that experience of putting your own spin on their work?

Nielsen: It was very fun. Chris [Conley] has a voice that I have always looked up to and emulated so it was fun to hear my voice fitting into the melodies that I have tried many times to borrow from. 

SLUG: Deluxe edition or standard (for Let It Enfold You)? Do you find yourself enjoying these songs more in their traditional or acoustic versions?

Nielsen: I personally like the loud rock songs. I am not a huge fan of playing acoustic unless the song was written to be that way. When you take big rock songs and strip them down it is interesting to hear what stays and what is the most important. Specifically, the lyrics and melody [are] usually what is the most important part of the song to Senses Fail and while I don’t love acoustic versions, it is very cool that our songs work in that mode.

SLUG: It’s stated that the lyrics for the project have been inspired by different sources, such as poetry, mythologists and more. Has that habit followed you from release to release or was this technique exclusive to the Let It Enfold You era?

Nielsen: Yes and no. Each record is different and finds me at a different place in my life. Sometimes I’m reading a lot [on] this type of subject or sometimes I’m spending a lot of time focusing on mindfulness and meditation and sometimes I just experienced a death, etc. So while I have a lot of different inspirations, I do have my favorites.

SLUG: It seems impossible to mention you guys without also bringing up Warped Tour. With the return of the festival in 2025, is the Déjà vu working overtime?

Nielsen: Hahaha yeah! [I’m] excited to see it back and hope that we get a chance to do it. 

SLUG: After 25 years, what is it like playing up against different generations of fans that grew up listening to your music?

Nielsen: It’s awesome. I love to see our fan base be of such a variety of ages. I am so thankful to the people that have been with us for 25 years or 10 years or people who discovered us this year. I am just happy people are still listening. 

SLUG: Aside from the tour, what else is on the horizon for Senses Fail?

Nielsen: We have new music in the works and will be spending most of next year working on that. 

Between new music being confirmed for next year, along with finishing up their “New Jersey Vs. The World” tour, Senses Fail seem to have their hands full for the foreseeable future. If you want to catch Senses Fail along with Saves The Day for yourself, they are coming through Salt Lake City and performing at The Depot on November 30—tickets are available here.

Read more interviews with touring bands:
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